Alcaraz downs Lehecka to win Queen’s title for second time
The Spaniard will try to win a third Wimbledon title in a row later this month
Carlos Alcaraz Queen’s 2025 – © Javier Garcia/Shutterstock/SIPA
Carlos Alcaraz sent down a warning to his rivals for the Wimbledon crown after he beat Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Sunday to win the HSBC Championships at London’s Queen’s Club for the second time in three years.
The Spaniard extended his winning streak to 18 matches with his fifth title of 2025 to date, the perfect preparation as he bids to win Wimbledon for a third year in a row. It’s the first time a man has won Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in the same year since Rafael Nadal in 2008.
“It’s a really special tournament for me,” Alcaraz said. “I just tried to get as much practice on grass as possible. I came here without expectations (so) to be able to lift the trophy is very special.”
Alcaraz broke once in the first set, in the 11th game, and though Lehecka pinched the second on a tiebreak, he broke twice in the third set to wrap up a deserved victory. It’s his 21st title in all.
Lehecka wins second but fades in third
Lehecka had served brilliantly in taking out Jack Draper in the semi-finals but on a humid, windier day in London, he found life more difficult, while Alcaraz’s prowess on returns also played its part.
Alcaraz used the drop shot nicely, as usual, to keep Lehecka off balance and after missing a break point at 2-2, he made no mistake at 5-5 as a few errors crept into the world No 30’s game. Alcaraz served out to 15 to seal the first set.
Lehecka stayed with Alcaraz in the second set and pushed the Spaniard hard and when Alcaraz double faulted to go down 6-5, the Czech had set point, which he took with another big serve.
Alcaraz stayed calm, though, breaking in the fourth game of the decider and then again in the eighth game, the pressure telling on Lehecka as the Spaniard took the title again.
